House Votes to Approve Bill Reducing Ombudsman Experience Requirements

A bill that would remove a requirement that ombudsmen in the Texas Office of Injured Employee Counsel have at least one year of workers’ compensation experience is now in the state Senate after passing the House of Representatives last week. House Bill 2060, by Rep. Rene Oliveira, D-Brownsville, would amend Labor Code Section 404.152(b) to remove the requirement that ombudsmen have “at least one year of demonstrated experience in the field of workers’ compensation.” Requirements that ombudsmen have experience in handling problems for the general public and strong i...